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Las Vegas Raiders: Should Josh McDaniels be on the hot seat?

By Jalen Wilson

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 27: Head Coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 27: Head Coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) /
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After making the playoffs last season and hiring Josh McDaniels in the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders front office was probably hoping for better results than a 6-8 record entering week 16.

Currently, the Raiders are sitting at a 6-8 overall record and 3rd in the AFC west, and much criticism is aimed at Josh McDaniels. The criticism is well deserved, as the raiders have not been as advertised after hiring the three-time Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator. As an add-on to their 6-8 record, the Raiders are also 4-2 at home, 2-6 on the road, and 3-2 against division opponents.

The Raiders acquired Davante Adams, Chandler Jones, Rock Ya-Sin, and more players via the draft, free agency, and trade in the offseason. But these moves haven’t helped them stop blowing leads. So far, through 14 weeks, the Raiders have lost four games when leading by 13-plus points. The struggles for this offense have been noticeable. Early in the season, Davante Adams wasn’t getting the targets he deserved, and Josh Jacobs wasn’t being used to his full potential. Derek Carr is having a statically worse season than last season.

Struggles for this team do stop there, as they are also worse in statistical categories on defense. Compared to the previous season, the Las Vegas Raiders defense is on pace to give up more passing yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns.

Since Josh McDaniels is the head coach, he’s getting most of the blame for this season. And that leaves the question.

Should Josh McDaniels be on the hot seat with the Las Vegas Raiders?

I say no; Josh McDaniels’s job should not be questioned, at least not yet. Yes, some blame for this team’s struggles should fall on McDaniels, but it’s only his first season. And while the Raiders’ front office did make moves, key players such as Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, and Rock Ya-Sin all went down with injuries and missed multiple games.

Fans should also look at the good that the raiders have done after starting 2-7. Since that start, the Raiders have a record of 4-1, with wins over the Patriots, Chargers, and Seahawks, all teams in the playoff race. And since that turnaround, the Raiders are back in the playoff race with a chance to sneak into the wild card. Since Josh McDaniels is the head coach, credit has to be given to him for the late-season turnaround.

No, the first year of the Josh McDaniels hasn’t been peaches and cream, But there are positives to take away. And with the Raiders still, with the possibility of making the playoffs, fans may change their opinion on McDaniels by the season’s end.

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